Canceling-stamp



UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARCUS P. NORTON, OF TROY, NEW YORK. y

cNci-:ILING-STAMP.

Speciication forming part of Letters Patent No. 49.432, dated August 15, 1865 antedated August 4, 1865.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAncUs P. Non'roN, of the city of Troy, county of Rensselaer, State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvments in Marking and Canceling Internal Revenue or Postage Stamps; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being hereby had to the accompanyingdrawings, with letters ofreference marked thereon, which make a part of this specification.

Like letters represent and refer to like or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is an elevation or front view. Fig. 2 is aview or section perpendicular through the center of each part of the said stamp, hereinafter more fully described. Fig. 3 is a face view of the stamp. Fig. 4 is a sectional view vertically through the center of each part, hereinaftermorefullydescribedandsetforth. Fig. 5 is also a face view, showing the cork or elastic substance in combination with the center adjustable punch, hereinafter described.

The nature of my invention consists in the employment of an adjustable punch, for the purpose of canceling internal-revenue stamps by punching a hole or holes through the same at the same time and operation of giving an impression in ink upon such revenue stamp of the name of the person, persons, or corporation so canceling the same; also, in canceling postage-stamps by punching a hole or holes through the same at the same time and operation of giving an impression in ink upon such postage-stamp by means of a cork, wood, or any elastic substance in combination therewith, so as to thus eifectually prevent a second or re use of any such revenue or postage stamp, arranged and combined in the manner substantially as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.

Having thus described the nature of my said improvement or invention, I will here proceed to describe the construction and operation of the same, which are as follows, to wit:

A is the body or main part of said stamp,

and may be of any size, shape, or material which will answer the required purpose. Upon the lower end or surface of the said main part I construct a ring for the purpose of engraving thereon any name of person, bank, corporation, or business iirm desirable.

D, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, is an adjustable punch madeof steel, and of any size deemedbest. This punch extends the whole distance from the stamping or lower surface of said main part A, Fig. 2, upward through the handle B, same figure; or it may terminate at any desirable` point above such stamping-surface, care being taken to provide means for such parts ot the paper as may be cut by such upon the inside of the same to escape, so as not to obstruct the full and free operation of such punch. It may be in the center of the stamp, or upon one or more sides thereof, the principle being the same in either case. This punch is provided with a male screw, o o, which is upon the outer surface of the said punch, and which corresponds to and operates in the female screw d d, Figs. 2 and 4. By the means of such screw the cutting portion H, Figs. 2 and 4, may be adjusted so as to cut the said stamp or paper on which the same may be to any depth required or desired. The said adjustment of the said punch is made by means of a screwdriver operated in the recess k, same figure, or by any suitable device. There is a stem be longing to the said main part A, which extends upward into the wood handle B, same figure. The said stem is screwed into such handle, as seen at b b, Figs. 2 and 4, by means of which the two parts are firmly held together. E E, Fig. 4, is cork, wood, or rubber, or any elastic substance surrounding the said adj ustable punch D, same igure, which is for the purpose of blotting or defacing in ink the postagestamp, at the same time of cutting or punching through the same a hole or holes by the means aforesaid. Surrounding the said cork, wood, or other elastic material through which said adjustable punch passes, and on the meta-l portion of the stamp, may be the name' of the person, rm, bank, or corporation using the said stamp. There may be one or more such punches arranged upon or near the outer edge of said stamp. This said punch may be used and combined with the postage-stamp-canceling device patented to me on the 14th of April, 1863, in combination with the postoice post-marking device as combined therewith for the purposes set forth in that patent. This stamp is to be operatedin the same manner as that of the ordinary hand-stamp.

E, Fig. 5, shows a conguration upon the workin g surface of the said cork, wood, or elastic device for the purposes aforesaid, and which may also have any configuration desirable, and will then cancel the postage-stamp in ink, and by a hole or holes punched through the same at one blow and operation ofthe instrument, While at the same time .the post-mark will also be given upon the envelope nearto the said stamp.

flhe saidpunch will be guide'l and governed by the said screw in the said main part A, as aforesaid, and may be adjusted by any convenient means.

l Having thus described u1 y invention and improvements, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

MARCUS P. NORTON.

Witnesses:

GHAs. D. KELLUM, C. R. INGALLs. 

